By: Nicole D’Andria
The super
team Argo 5 has returned! Having previously talked to the creative team on “Kickstart the Week(end)”, these superheroes
are back at it again, taking on aliens, demons, mythological deities and,
scariest of all, bad dates.
This second
collection includes issues #6-11 of Argo 5,
which focus on the origin of Blue Dynamo and Gladiatra attempting to find Megamax,
the world's greatest megahero… and also her father.
Created
and written by Dan Sehn, each issue of Argo
5 features different artists, including Alex Garcia, Rafael Dantas Gomes,
Rafael Lanhellas, Alan Faria, Carlos Henry, Tazio Bettin, Mike Gallagher, Scott
"Shade" Jones, Antonio Brandao. Ben Dunn, Greg Nichols, and TG
Sangalang. Colorists include Giuseppe Pica, Alan Faria, Erika Ferreire and
Miguel Marques.
The
Kickstarter has already raised double its $1,000 goal and will continue to run
until December 20, 2018 at 3:36 PM EST.
Rewards include digital ($10) and physical ($30) copies of Argo 5 Volume 2 as well as print sets
from superstar artists ($50) and having your character guest star in Argo 5 ($100)! See more rewards or
pledge to Argo 5 Volume 2 here.
Enjoy in-depth interviews with writer Dan Sehn as well as artists Rafael Dantas (Argo #6) and Alex Garcia (Argo #11).
 |
| Dan Sehn |
Me: This volume includes an issue that focuses on
the origin of Blue Dynamo. What can you tell us about his character and why you
chose to focus on him specifically here?
Sehn: I have been making my way through the origins
of all the characters. Issue 2 had an abbreviated origin of the half-genie
Kasira. Issue 6 contained the origin of Blue Dynamo. Issue 19 has Shazrath’s
mythological origin and issue 26 contained the team leader Gladiatra’s origin
(along with her brother Ultro of Team North America). The upcoming issue 30
will finalize the set with the team’s resident Mexican martial arts master,
Chain Reaction’s origin.
Me: Since Gladiatra is searching for her father,
the world’s greatest megahero, what can you tell us about him and his
significance in Argo 5?
Sehn: As seen in Argo
5 Volume 1, which is offered again in this Kickstarter, the team is funded
by Denny Dennis who fought in the Korean War with Megamax and he recruited
Megamax’s daughter Gladiatra to lead Argo 5.
Me: If you could pick one super powered character
in all of comics to be your father, who would you pick and why?
Sehn: Superman seems to have the best moral compass
in comics, so I think he’s a good choice.
Me: What is the number one reason why people should
back this Kickstarter?
Sehn: I love indie comics for the unique voices and
approaches some are able to deliver. I think that along with the combination of
quality in story and art make Argo 5
one of the best choices in the indie superhero market.
 |
| Argo 5 #6-11 |
Me: What can you tell us about the future of Argo
5?
Sehn: Issue 28 and 29 is a two part story that
heavily features on the soap opera element that I believe is part of what sets Argo 5 as different from many others in
the market. As I mentioned, we’ll get Chain Reaction’s origin in issue 30 and
several more issues are completed and ready for lettering, so there is much to
look forward to.
Me: What inspirational words do you have for
aspiring comic book writers in addition to the previous advice you gave us
in our last Argo 5
interview?
Sehn: Tell YOUR story and try to find your unique
voiceover, retelling stories you have enjoyed. Look to the world around you and
your own interactions for story ideas so you can bring something new to the
market. All that, plus never give up on your dreams.
 |
| Rafael Dantas |
Me: How would you compare and contrast your art
style with other artists' styles who worked on this volume of Argo 5?
Dantas: All of them are great and bring a wonderful
diversity of styles to the Argo 5
title.
In my
case it was the beginning of a new phase for me, where I started to use a more
classic style of comic art.
Me: Since you’ve worked on several issues of Argo 5 over time, how would you say your
art style has evolved during the course of this series?
Dantas: The latest story I did for Argo Comics was Sorority of Power #13 and I consider it
a watershed in my career; it was where I finally began to find an artistic
identity. I thank Argo Comics for that since working on various issues for
them allowed me to develop my own style.
 |
| Argo 5 #6 Art by Rafael Dantas |
Me: What was your favorite page to illustrate in Argo 5 #6 and why?
Dantas: I like the page where the other members appear
in the story with Blue Dynamo leading into his origin. The book is strong in
character interaction.
Me: What is the number one reason why people should
back this Kickstarter?
Dantas: Argo 5 has potential, and Dan
has endless ideas that need and deserve to be shown to comic book fans.
 |
| Argo 5 #6 Art by Rafael Dantas |
Me: What inspirational words do you have for
aspiring comic book artists in addition to the previous advice you gave us
in our last Argo 5 interview?
Dantas: Do not give up. Do not listen to people who
tell you to give up; I've listened to this my whole life and today I live from
my art.
Focus,
study, have self-criticism, and be professional in all of your work. The reward
will come.
 |
| Alex Garcia |
Me: When did you meet Dan and how did you become
part of the Argo 5 comic
book art team?
Garcia: Well, some years ago Dan contact me after he
saw an article in PACESETTER MAGAZINE (A Fanzine about artist George Pérez),
where I had collaborated with an interview and some drawings. He asked me to
collaborate in a short story (Argo 5
#0) and then work on the cover and interiors for Argo 5 #11
Me: How would you compare and contrast your art
style with other artists' styles who worked on this volume of Argo 5?
Garcia: I don´t like to compare my style with other
artists, because each artist have is own personal style. Some are more
classics, others have some manga influence, others are more realistic, so it is
difficult to compare yourself with people who have different styles. But for
sure, in this volume everyone will find his favorite style due to the variety
of artists.
 |
| Argo 5 #11 Art by Alex Garcia |
Me: What was your favorite page to illustrate
in Argo 5 #11 and why?
Garcia: Probably my favorite page is the first one,
because it’s a big panel with all the members of Argo 5 reacting in front of a frozen Megamax, who is in some kind
of cocoon made of crystals.
Me: In what ways were you influenced by the art in
the rest of Argo 5 Volume 2 when
you worked on the last issue in the trade?
Garcia: As I said before, a lot of artists collaborated
in this trade, artists with different styles, so of course I learn a lot by observing
the art of another people, even if some of the styles of these artists are
different from mine.
 |
| Argo 5 #11 Art by Alex Garcia |
Me: What is the number one reason why people should
back this Kickstarter?
Garcia: There are a lot of reasons to buy this
Kickstarter: amazing characters, fun stories and great art. Anyone need another
reason?
Me: What inspirational words do you have for
aspiring comic book artists?
Garcia: My principle advice for aspiring comic book
artists is: work every day! Practice is everything.
Me: Thank you for taking the time to answer my
questions. Hopefully these superheroes will work out their super issues! If you’re
reading this and interested in pledging the project, check out the Kickstarter for Argo 5 Volume 2.
 |
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